Xiao Yan
Battle Through the Heavens: Three Donghua Choices at Every Breakthrough—Starting as Shendu
Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Xiao Yan (萧炎) |
| Alias(es) | Little Yanzi; one of the Xiao Clan’s “twin stars,” alongside Xiao Long 1 12 |
| Species/Race | Human 1 15 |
| Gender | Male |
| Affiliation | Xiao Clan, Wutan City 3 15 |
| Occupation/Role | Cultivator; Yao Chen’s disciple and novice alchemy student 8 12 19 |
| Cultivation | Peak Eighth Stage of Dou Qi; approaching Dou Zhe 12 19 |
| Status | Alive; recovering his cultivation under Yao Chen’s guidance 12 19 |
| First Appearance | Mentioned in the opening scene and introduced in a childhood flashback; first present-day scene in the clan reception hall 1 3 |
Power Progression
| Stage / Realm / Level | Chapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Qi Introduction | 1 | Achieved by age seven. His rapid cultivation earned him recognition alongside Xiao Long as one of the clan’s “twin stars.” |
| Third Stage of Dou Qi — regression | 7 8 | Fell to this level after Yao Chen unconsciously siphoned his Dou Qi for three years. His meridians remained comparable to a Dou Zhe’s. |
| Peak Eighth Stage of Dou Qi | 8 12 | Reached after swallowing Qi Gathering Powder. Yao Chen protected his meridians with soul power, allowing him to survive the otherwise overwhelming medicinal energy. |
Background / History
Early Talent and Decline
Xiao Yan is Xiao Zhan’s youngest son and Xiao Long’s younger brother. As a child, his cultivation advanced exceptionally quickly—his early talent surpassed Xiao Long’s, and the brothers became the Xiao Clan’s celebrated “twin stars” 1 2 3 15.
His cultivation subsequently regressed for three years. Clan peers who had once courted his favor began avoiding him, while the Second Elder repeatedly reduced his monthly allowance. The unexplained decline also threatened the clan elders less than the prospect of two successful brothers strengthening Xiao Zhan’s position 2 12.
Xiao Yan retains memories of a previous life. When Yao Chen introduces himself as “Whitebeard,” Xiao Yan recognizes the name from an anime he knew before, but initially treats the resemblance as a coincidence 8.
Engagement Dispute
Nalan Yanran arrives with Misty Cloud Sect representatives to dissolve their arranged engagement. Before the announcement, Xiao Ning deliberately occupies the only available chair, leaving Xiao Yan standing until Xiao Long forces him to move. Ge Ye then presents the proposed dissolution as necessary under the sect’s rules, publicly humiliating Xiao Yan 3.
Xiao Long defends his brother and the family’s dignity. Nalan Yanran denies looking down on Xiao Yan, explaining that she does not want to marry someone she has never met; she then redirects her marriage proposal toward Xiao Long 4 5.
Ge Ye offers Qi Gathering Powder as compensation. Xiao Long accepts it on Xiao Yan’s behalf and later prevents the elders from redirecting it to Xiao Ning. Although Xiao Yan is largely sidelined during the negotiations, he resolves to confront Nalan Yanran personally and refuses to leave Xiao Long to handle the consequences alone 5 6 8.
Yao Chen’s Mentorship
After the meeting, Xiao Yan retreats to Back Mountain with his ring and the compensation box. Yao Chen reveals himself from the ring and admits that his unconscious absorption of Dou Qi caused Xiao Yan’s decline. Xiao Yan nearly removes the ring in anger, but considers Yao Chen’s offer to teach him cultivation and alchemy as a route to recovering his strength 7.
After witnessing Yao Chen’s abilities over the following two days, Xiao Yan formally accepts him as his master. He follows the dangerous instruction to swallow Qi Gathering Powder, endures severe pain, and reaches the peak of the Eighth Stage of Dou Qi 8 12.
His recovery brings new responsibilities: learning alchemy and facing the possibility that Yao Chen’s treacherous former disciple could become an enemy. Xiao Long provides 50,000 gold coins for ingredients and asks him to investigate a treatment for the Woeful Poison Body 12.
When Yao Chen offers the evolving Flame Mantra, Xiao Yan initially objects to its Yellow Tier starting rank. He nevertheless chooses it after learning that its connection to Heavenly Flames could eventually let him help Xiao Long treat his friend’s constitution 19.
Appearance
- Wears a blue-green robe and ties his hair back with a cloth band during the clan reception 3.
- Has lost considerable weight and appears more composed than he did a couple of years earlier 3.
Personality
Xiao Yan is deeply affected by the loss of his cultivation and the public insult to his engagement, but remains determined to recover. His suspicion of Yao Chen is grounded in the harm the old man caused him; he only accepts the risky recovery treatment after seeing evidence of his teacher’s strength and alchemical skill 7 8.
His loyalty to Xiao Long becomes a major source of motivation. He wants to defend his own dignity without letting his brother face the engagement dispute alone, insists on treating financial support as a repayable loan, and embraces the Flame Mantra partly because it may make him useful to Xiao Long 8 12 19.
He speaks bluntly to Yao Chen, alternating between profanity, sarcasm, and admiration. Despite complaining about his teacher’s relentless demands, he gets up to study after nearly dying during treatment and continues practicing after repeated failures 8 12 19.
Abilities & Skills
Cultivation Aptitude
- Possesses exceptional early cultivation talent; Yao Chen regards his endurance through years of Dou Qi loss as further evidence of his potential 1 2 7.
- Has both fire and wood affinities, making him suitable for conventional alchemy 15.
- Retains meridians comparable to a Dou Zhe’s even after regressing to the Third Stage of Dou Qi 8.
Soul Power
- Yao Chen notices that his soul is unusual and stronger than an ordinary person’s, an advantage during his early medicinal preparation training 19.
- Communicates mentally with Yao Chen, including when asking about the Woeful Poison Body 12.
Alchemy Training
- Studies under Yao Chen, who teaches him without withholding his knowledge 12.
- Practices preparing Spirit Liquid, which requires delicate handling even though it is less demanding than full alchemy 19.
- Remains a beginner: rushing causes failed batches, and no successful pill refinement is documented 19.
Flame Mantra
- Selects Yao Chen’s Yellow Tier Flame Mantra, a cultivation method said to be capable of evolving to Tian Tier 19.
- Its suitability for controlling Heavenly Flames offers a possible route toward the three-flame requirement associated with the Poison Pill Method 19.
- His decision is documented, but no subsequent method evolution or Heavenly Flame acquisition is shown 19.
Equipment / Weapons / Items
- Bone Flame Ring — The ring housing Yao Chen’s remnant soul; Xiao Long identifies Xiao Yan as the brother suited to make use of it 7 13 19.
- Qi Gathering Powder — Compensation offered by the Misty Cloud Sect. Xiao Long protects Xiao Yan’s ownership of it; its consumption restores him to the peak of the Eighth Stage of Dou Qi 5 6 8 12.
- Green jade card — Contains approximately 50,000 gold coins supplied by Xiao Long to fund alchemy ingredients 12.
Relationships
- Xiao Long — Older brother and principal supporter. Defends his dignity, safeguards his compensation, and funds his training; Xiao Yan is determined to repay that support through his own achievements 3 6 8 12 19.
- Yao Chen / Yao Lao / “Whitebeard” — Master and adoptive father. Caused Xiao Yan’s regression through unconscious Dou Qi absorption, then commits to restoring his strength and teaching him alchemy 7 8 12.
- Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Clan leader. Becomes furious at the public dissolution of Xiao Yan’s engagement and notices the slight when his son is left without a seat 3 4.
- Nalan Yanran — Arranged fiancée who refuses the match. Xiao Yan considers her public handling of the dispute an affront to his dignity and intends to confront her 3 5 8.
- Xiao Ning — Hostile clan peer. Blocks Xiao Yan’s seat; the elders later attempt to give him Xiao Yan’s Qi Gathering Powder 3 6.
- Xiao Lin — Grandfather, whom Xiao Yan believed dead and barely remembers. He accepts Xiao Lin’s return after Yao Chen confirms the familial resemblance of his aura 16.
- Xiao Ding and Xiao Li — Older brothers within Xiao Zhan’s four-son family 15.